Adjustable cosmetics applicator

ABSTRACT

An adjustable implement includes an adjustable applicator assembly comprising a variably adjustable applicator selectively pivotable at least about 90 degrees relative to a body or handle of the implement. By virtue of having a variably adjustable applicator, the adjustable implement is capable of applying a product at various different angles of orientation.

BACKGROUND

Devices exist for applying cosmetic or medicinal products to a body(e.g., eyeliner to the eyelid). Existing applicators designed to applyeyeliner to eyelids vary in style. For example, one applicator forapplying eyeliner to eyelids may be generally straight achieving oneorientation with which the applicator contacts the eyelid. Anotherapplicator for applying eyeliner to eyelids may incorporate an angledtip achieving a different orientation with which the applicator contactsthe eyelid. Straight applicators may be useful in some orientationsand/or with some products, while angled applicators may be useful inother orientations and/or with other products. However, existingapplicators have limited functionality as more than one applicator isneeded to optimally change the orientation with which an applicatorcontacts the eyelid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanyingfigures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference numberidentifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. Theuse of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similaror identical items.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an example adjustable cosmeticimplement, having an articulating head for adjusting anangle/orientation of an applicator.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the adjustable implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of the adjustable implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the adjustable implement of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the adjustable implement of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-6H show example heads that articulate relative to the body ofthe implement.

FIGS. 7A-7B depict the example adjustable cosmetic implement of FIG. 1with the applicator straight and selectively pivoted.

FIG. 8 depicts an example locking mechanism disposed on an adjustablecosmetic implement of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

Existing implements to apply a product to a body (e.g., eyeliner, toeyelids) are designed in a variety of styles. Each style is designed toapply product at a specific orientation and/or to achieve a desiredeffect. For example, one applicator may be used to apply eyeliner to theinside or outside corners of the eye, while another applicator may beused to apply eyeliner above the upper eyelashes or below the lowereyelashes. Using currently available applicators, a user must usemultiple applicators to achieve multiple desired angles for applyingeyeliner to eyelids.

This application describes an adjustable implement that pivots toselectable positions via a hinge. By virtue of having a pivotableapplicator, the adjustable implement can be adjusted to apply a productat various different angles of orientation. Examples of products thatcan be applied using the adjustable implement include withoutlimitation, cosmetic, medicinal, and/or personal care products.

Generally, an implement according to this disclosure has a body orhandle and an adjustable applicator assembly. The adjustable applicatorassembly includes a hinge which allows the applicator to rotate tomultiple positions relative to the handle for easier productdistribution. In addition to the hinge, the adjustable applicatorassembly comprises a rotational friction mechanism to maintain theapplicator in selectable positions. In some implementations, theimplement may also include a locking mechanism to lock the adjustableapplicator against motion relative to the handle. Alternatively, thearticulating heads may include a holding mechanism to maintain the headand applicator in a user defined position.

For each example given below, the implement is described in the contextof an applicator for applying an eyeliner product to eyelids. However,applicators as described herein may be used and adapted to apply otherproducts (e.g. lipstick, chap stick, lip gloss, lotions, creams, gels,powders, rouges, blushes, foundation, etc.) and may be used to applyproduct to other portions of the body.

Illustrative Adjustable Implement

FIG. 1 depicts an example adjustable cosmetic applicator. The adjustablecosmetic implement 100 includes a head 102, a body 104, an applicator106, and a pivot 108. A bottom of head 102 is pivotably attached to atop of body 104, where the top of body 104 is defined as the end withpivot 108. While body 104 is illustrated as having a substantiallyrectangular cross-section, a variety of other cross-sectional shapes andtypes are contemplated. For example, the body 104 may have a tubular,triangular, cylindrical, or any other suitable cross-sectional shape.Head 102 and body 104 may be constructed of any suitable material which,by way of example and not limitation, may include plastic, metal, wood,ceramic, glass, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a composite of any of theforgoing. In some specific examples, suitable materials may includethermoplastic elastomers (TPE), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP),polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),polyvinyl chloride (PVC), steel, chrome, stainless steel, aluminum,nickel, copper, bronze, titanium, gold, platinum, silver, or Zamac.Different components may be made of different materials (e.g., head 102made of one material, while body 104 made of another material).Moreover, components may be made of more than one material (e.g., head102 or body 104 may have a plastic core covered in metal or a metal coresurrounded in plastic).

The top of head 102 contains an applicator 106. In the embodiment shownin FIG. 1, the applicator 106 comprises a soft brush for application ofa product such as eyeliner, or other liquid, gel, or powder-basedcosmetic products. In other examples, applicator 106 may be comprised ofa brush of hair or bristles, a foam pad, a sponge, a solid stick ofpigment (e.g., an eyeliner pencil), or any other suitable applicator.Applicator 106 may additionally or alternatively be formed of rubber,thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), plastic (e.g. polypropylene (PP)),fabric mesh, or any other suitable material. While applicator 106 isshown here to have a pointed shape, other applicator shapes such as abulb-shape, a ring-shape, a flat-shape, or the like may alternatively beused. For example, the shape of applicator 106 may include a flat shapedbrush with an angled edge. Head 102 rotates relative to body 104 aboutpivot 108 via a hinge. Pivot 108, by way of the hinge, allows theapplicator 106 to rotate to multiple positions within its range ofmotion. In some examples, the head 102 may be continuously pivotablerelative to the body 104 such that it may be positioned at substantiallyany angle within the range of motion. In other examples, the head 102may be pivotable between multiple discreet positions within the range ofmotion. In that case, the head 102 may be held in place in each discreetposition by a holding mechanism, such as a rotational frictionmechanism, that resists rotation and maintains the head 102 in a setposition relative to the body 104.

FIG. 2 is a front view 200 of the adjustable implement 100 of FIG. 1.The back view is a mirror image of front view 200.

FIG. 3 is a right side view 300 of the adjustable implement 100 ofFIG. 1. The left side view is a mirror image of the right side view 300.

FIG. 4 is a top view 400 of the adjustable implement 100 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view 500 of the adjustable implement 100 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-6H show example heads that, when interconnected with body 104,create a rotational friction mechanism to maintain the implement inuser-selected position. In FIGS. 6A-6F, rotational friction is achievedwhen one or more shapes on the bottom of head 102 are dimensioned toform a friction fit with one or more complimentary shapes on the top ofbody 104. In FIGS. 6G-6H rotational friction is achieved when africtional material, disposed on the head 102 and/or the body 104, hasfrictional characteristics greater than that of the head or body. Eachof the example heads 102 and interconnecting bodies 104 in FIGS. 6A-6Hare configured to maintain position of the applicator relative to thebody when a force applied to the head 102 is below an adjustingthreshold. The adjusting threshold is chosen to be a force greater thana force typically applied to the head during normal application of aproduct using the implement. Additionally, each of the example heads 102and interconnecting bodies 104 in FIGS. 6A-6H allow the head 102 topivot relative to the body 104 in response to application of a force ator above the adjusting threshold.

FIG. 6A shows a front view of head 102 with rib 602 on a peripherythereof. Rib 602 interconnects with complimentary shapes 604(1) to604(N) on body 104 to create a friction fit. While rib 602 is shown onone surface of head 102, rib 602 may be on more than one surface, withadditional complimentary shapes on body 104 as needed to create aninterference fit. Further, while only one rib is shown, in otherembodiments multiple ribs 602 or complimentary shapes 604(1) to 604(N)may be included to create a friction fit which allows for applicator 106to pivot to multiple positions relative to body 104.

FIG. 6B shows a front view of head 102 with a dimple 606 which creates afriction fit when mated with a complimentary recesses or opening 608(1)to 608(M) on body 104.

FIG. 6C shows a front view of head 102 with dimple 610(1) to 610(P),collectively referred to as dimple 610 herein, on the periphery. In theillustrated example, dimple 610 would fixedly intermesh with a recess oropening 612 on body 104. In one example, the recess or opening 612 maybe disposed on the bottom of head 102 and dimple 610 may be disposed onbody 104.

FIG. 6D shows a side view of head 102 with ridges 614(1) to 614(L),collectively referred to as ridge 614 herein. Ridge 614 extends radiallyoutward from the center of pivot 108, the width of each ridge 614increasing radially outward. In this illustrated example, ridge 614 onhead 102 slidably mates with complementary ridge 616 on body 104 tomaintain applicator 106 in position.

In yet another alternative, FIG. 6E illustrates a side view of head 102with indents 618(1) to 618(S), collectively referred to as indent 618herein on the bottom of head 102. Indent 618 is designed to fixedlyintermesh with complimentary protrusion 620 on the top of body 104 tomaintain applicator 106 in a selected position. It is contemplated thatprotrusion 620 may be on head 102 and indent 618 may be on the top ofbody 104. Although indent 618 and protrusion 620 are configured toreceive and retain one another, a force at or above an adjustingthreshold will overcome a restraining force causing retention.

FIG. 6F illustrates a side view of head 102 with curvilinear notches622(1) to 622(T), collectively referred to as notch 622 herein. Notch622 would maintain the head 102 in a selected position relative to thebody 104 by fixedly intermeshing with complimentary protrusion 624 onbody 104. Alternatively, protrusion 624 may be located on the bottom ofhead 102 and curvilinear notch 622 may be located on body 104. Whilenotch 622 is shown on the periphery of head 102, notch 622 may bealternatively disposed on any surface of head 102.

In FIGS. 6A-6F, the frictional retention mechanisms of the illustratedhead 102 may vary in quantity, size, orientation, configuration, andplacement. For example, rib 602, dimple 606, dimple 610, ridge 614,indent 618, and notch 622 may be disposed along any edge of head 102that may interconnect with a complimentary shape on body 104.Additionally, the shape of head 102 may include indents, dimples, ribs,ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, grooves, and/or othersuitable shapes that form a friction fit with body 104.

FIG. 6G shows front (left hand part of the figure) and side (right handpart of figure) views of head 102 with frictional material 626 disposedon the periphery of head 102. The surface of frictional material 626creates a restraining force that resists rotation of the applicatorrelative to the body 104. By having frictional characteristics greaterthan that of head 102 and body 104, friction material 626 allowsapplicator 106 to be continuously variable (i.e. no discrete positions)relative to body 104. By way of example and not limitation, suitablefrictional materials may include rubber, silicone, combinations of theforegoing, or the like.

FIG. 6H shows a side view of the body 104 (the right hand part of thefigure) and a cross-sectional front view of body 104, taken along lineH—H, with frictional material 626 on its periphery. Frictional material626 may vary in size, shape, quantity, configuration, and placement.

FIG. 7A depicts an illustrative adjustable implement 100 of FIG. 1 withthe applicator not being selectively pivoted. In one embodiment, asshown in FIG. 7A, head 102 is not selectively pivoted when applicator106 is positioned in line with longitudinal axis 704 of body 104 that iscentered on pivot 108.

FIG. 7B depicts the illustrative adjustable implement 100 of FIG. 1 withthe applicator selectively pivoted. When head 102 is selectivelypivoted, applicator 106 is positioned at an angle relative to the body104. In FIG. 7B, the head 102 is shown in a ninety degree pivot position706 relative to the body 104. Head 102 is selectively pivotable relativeto longitudinal axis 704 of body 104 that is centered on pivot 108. Inthis embodiment, the ninety degree pivot position 706 is described asbeing generated while a sufficient amount of rotational force is appliedby a user to the head 102 relative to the body 104 that disengages therotational friction mechanism as described in FIGS. 6A-6H. When adesired position is reached, releasing the pressure causes a frictionfit as described in FIGS. 6A-6H. Although FIG. 7B shows applicator 106pivoted to about ninety degrees, applicator 106 may be selectivelypivoted in any number of positions about pivot 108. For example,applicator 106 may be adjusted to any angle θ within the range of motionof the adjustable implement 100. Selectively pivoting applicator 106enables a user to apply eyeliner at varying orientations using a singleadjustable implement 100 rather than multiple different fixedimplements. While head 102 is shown here to be pivotable about a pivot108 via a hinge, other pivoting mechanisms, such as substituting thehinge with a living hinge or an additional hinge pin, are also possible.The angle θ may be any angle up to about 350 degrees. For example, insome embodiments, θ may be about 90 degrees, 180 degrees, 270 degrees,or any other desired angle.

FIG. 8 depicts an example locking mechanism 802 of an example adjustableimplement 100. Locking mechanism 802 allows head 102 and likewiseapplicator 106 to be temporarily locked in a position relative to thebody 104. Locking the head 102 in a position relative to the body 104may provide a force resisting rotation which is greater than a forceapplied by the rotational friction mechanism, thereby preventing thehead 102 from being accidentally or inadvertently bumped out of adesired position relative to the body 104. Locking mechanism 802includes a spring 804, a slot 806, an actuator 808, and a pin 810. Inoperation, the pin 810 is biased by the spring 804 into engagement witha receptacle or aperture in the head 102, thereby locking the head 102in position relative to the body. A user may unlock the lock mechanismby using the actuator 808 to slide the pin 810 in the slot 806 to removethe pin 810 from the receptacle in the head 102, thereby allowing thehead 102 to pivot relative to the body 104. The head may includemultiple different receptacles corresponding to multiple differentdiscrete positions, such that the head 102 can be locked in each of thediscrete positions by the locking mechanism. Though FIG. 8 depicts aspring loaded pin, other locking mechanisms may alternatively beimplemented. For example, a spring loaded detent, set-screw, or otherconfiguration may be utilized to securely retain head 102 in a desiredorientation relative to body 104.

CONCLUSION

Although embodiments have been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific featuresor acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosedas illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments.

1. An implement comprising: a body; an adjustable applicator assemblycoupled to the body, the adjustable applicator assembly comprising: ahead having a top end and a bottom end; an applicator coupled to the topend of the head, wherein the applicator comprises an eyelinerapplicator, the eyeliner applicator comprising a soft brush; a hingelinking a top end of the body to the bottom end of the head, the headbeing selectively pivotable about the hinge by at least about 90 degreesrelative to the body; and a rotational friction mechanism to hold thehead in position relative to the body.
 2. An implement according toclaim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises one ofindentions or protrusions on the top end of the body and the other ofindentions or protrusions on the bottom end of the head, the indentionsor protrusions on the top end of the body configured to slidably matewith the other of indentions or protrusions on the bottom end of thehead.
 3. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotationalfriction mechanism comprises one of dimples or protrusions on the bottomend of the head and the other of dimples or protrusions on the top endof the body, the dimples or protrusions on the bottom end of the headconfigured to slidably mate with the other of dimples or protrusions onthe top end of the body.
 4. An implement according to claim 1, whereinthe rotational friction mechanism is configured to maintain position ofthe applicator relative to the body when a force applied to theapplicator is below an adjusting threshold, and to allow the applicatorto pivot relative to the body in response to application of a force ator above the adjusting threshold.
 5. An implement according to claim 1,wherein the body comprises plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, glass,fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a composite of any of the foregoing.
 6. Animplement according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises thermoplasticelastomers (TPE), rubber, or polypropylene or (PP).
 7. An implementaccording to claim 1, wherein the body comprises metal or ceramic.
 8. Animplement according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises metal orceramic.
 9. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotationalfriction mechanism comprises one or more shapes on the bottom of thehead configured to engage one or more complimentary shapes on the top ofthe body.
 10. An implement according to claim 9, wherein the one or moreshapes on the bottom of the head comprises indents configured to receiveand retain one or more protrusions of the one or more complimentaryshapes on the top of the body.
 11. An implement according to claim 9,wherein the one or more complimentary shapes on the top of the bodycomprises one or more indents configured to receive and retain one ormore protrusions of the one or more shapes on the bottom of the head.12. An implement according to claim 9, wherein the one or more shapes onthe bottom of the head comprise indents, dimples, ribs, ridges,channels, depressions, protrusions, and/or grooves, and wherein the oneor more complimentary shapes on the top of the body comprise indents,dimples, ribs, ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, or grooves.13. (canceled)
 14. An implement according to claim 1, further comprisinga locking mechanism to lock the head in a position relative to the body.15. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational frictionmechanism comprises a surface having frictional characteristics greaterthan that of the body and the head, the surface comprising a frictionalmaterial.
 16. An adjustable implement comprising: a body having a topend and a bottom end, the bottom end having a gripping surface area; anapplicator pivotally coupled to the top end of the body via a hinge, theapplicator being pivotable at least about 90 degrees relative to thebody and comprising a soft brush; and the hinge including a rotationalfriction mechanism that maintains the applicator in a set positionrelative to the body by a restraining force that resists rotation of theapplicator relative to the body.
 17. An adjustable implement accordingto claim 16, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises a firstplurality of engagement surfaces on the top end of the body configuredto engage with a second plurality of complimentary engagement surfaceson the applicator.
 18. An adjustable implement according to claim 17,wherein the first and second pluralities of engagement surfaces compriseindents, dimples, ribs, ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, orgrooves.
 19. An adjustable implement according to claim 17, wherein theplurality of engagement surfaces of the body are held in place relativeto the engagement surfaces of the applicator by a locking mechanism. 20.An adjustable implement according to claim 19, wherein the lockingmechanism comprises a spring loaded detent or spring loaded pin. 21.(canceled)
 22. An implement according to claim 15, wherein thefrictional material comprises rubber or silicone.
 23. An adjustableimplement according to claim 16, wherein the body comprises asubstantially square cross section.